Holiday Racing Begins on Monday

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12638, 24 December 1926, Page 7

Holiday Racing Begins on Monday

THE AUCKLAND CUP CHANCES OF THE RUNNERS DISCUSSED DY “CARBINE" With an acceptance of nineteen for the Auckland Cup there has been a welcome thinping out of the held, and, what is mpre important, there remains in the race the material'for a stirnng ’ contest. Some of the best handicap performers at . present m" commission will be brought together, and the race" appears to be very open. -. t vV.: As Rapine and Star Stranger have been left m, th«ne'seems to be a good chance of Mr Williams starting'hoth of .them, and if he does the bracket will be nearly favourite, if not’ favourite. At' a difference of 7lb, Rapine ;■ is .hipfe in favour'than his younger stablemate. There is no' more proved galloper in the race than Rapine. It cannot bpvSaid -that he is at-all badly treated by being asked! to particularly as he hhd 5) 8 on his back when he 'won the-raii^-g^.Pg6i:.3?lF. ! ll6Jfrse».lMf'is • now nearing the stage'when his. lustre, -but it is not yet evident that iperffi;a?ihkhave.taken much of the edge off his. ?ind !tßete is no evidence that he does not stay as'well si# evefche did. He has run good ■ races this season, his best performances including a second at Randwick, first in the Canterbury Cup, and first in the. Stead • Gold Cup. Rapine will be ridden by Roy Reed; who has ridden him in most of his important;victories, and there is np better rider in New Jfealarid to-day than Reed. With only 9.9 in'a yst minimum race, and a really good horseman pn his back, Rapine has-a chance that cannot be despised. He looks sure to run prominently, and it should not surprise anyone if he 1 wins again. _ Having the distinction of being the latest New Zealand Cup winner, Count Cavour will command considerable attention. The two races are run over the same-distance, and in that re- . spect form in the one is some guide as to the result of the other. But the two courses are very different, and the differences are sufficient for Riccarton form to fail to work out at Ellerslie. Nevertheless, as Count Cavour ran a very'close second to Rapine last year, it can be assumed that the Ellerslie course suits him well enough to enable him to show his best. He is a good horse and should riot disgrace himself, but with equal chances in the running; I think Rapine will beat him. Star Stranger showed in Australia that he is a good sort when well, ana unless he. is backward he has- an excellent chance, but the tendency *0 prefer Rapine seems to indicate that Star Stranger-is not as forward as tne older. hoVse. It is in Star Stranger’s favour that he, will be ridden by B. H. Morris, . , one of "the most accomplished of the present-day horsemen. Te Monanui will Carry the confidence of his party and of a .large number of Taranaki enthusiasts. Providing he has had . , 'sufficient strenuous work, he will'show that he is capable of -keeping the best’busy, but, for all that, he will find it difficult to concede a pound and a beating to if the General Latour gelding is as good as fce was a couple of seasons ago. Te Kara s Waipa form was good, and had his rider not lost an iron he might nave won instead, of being beaten by a neck. It is worth remembering that he had Q.iz in the saddle on- that occasion. He has twice had his name inscribed as a winner of the Auckland Cup, and were he to succeed again his win would , be’particularly well received, for his owner, Mr Martin Timms, is among the most popular of .‘all New’Zealand] racing men. There is a disposition in' strife, .to favour tte. ; chances of Mask, and in:' theWaaganfei :3&tri«ss’' where 1 trained, he, is held in ori&Kf public performances he appears to f>e a trifle over-estimated. Another from thef ; Watigail!ta'arfea'“is Mundane, and pefchaj>s,mu,ch. the , ihme can’be said of-fieri Tt speaks well for Mandane that ' Fred. Tilley; one of the .best of men with a horse, regards her as something well out of the erdinary, so, for that reason, she xvffl -hot- ' s ''

Trentham has twcf representatives engaged —lanadees and Star Ranger—and of the pair Tanadees is the better fancied." It would be somewhat exasperating if Star Ranger won, but such a possibility is not as remote as some followers of the sport imagine. Star Ranger is a bad horse to follow, but he is most likely to run prominently when there is a distanceof grotmd tb cover, and he has a lightweight up. He won tins year’s Mitchelson Cup (one mile and a half) carrying 7. 5. He has 7.7 .on Boxing Day, and as he finishedwery fast in the Waipa Gup it may be assumed that-his trainer has managed to keep him well. It is worth remembering that the going was very heavy' when he won the Mitchelson Cup, §o xnuch c?in be laid to indicate that the Martian gelding is a possibility, but his history is such that it is best to let him run against you. Tanadees looks a better proposition, but he is such a hard hprse to ride that it is difficult to get the best out of him. Also, if the going is at all hard he wilKnot relish it. Footfall showed excellent form at the C.J.C. Sprmg meeting, and finished up all his races with fine determination, but not one of his efforts was an Auckland Cup test.' Desert Glow was up in the front during the whole of the New Zealand Cup journey/and finished'up a good secdnd to Count Cavour. He carried the minimum weight, 7st, and under light imposts he goes fairly well, but weight stops him quickly. At EUerslie he is back again near the bottom of the list, having only. 7.3, and if he can get to the front as he did at Riccarton'he might .be able to stay there, as it is by no means impossible to win from the front at Ellerslie. On the same mark as Desert Glow, however, is Diogenes, who strikes one as a better sort; Diogenes won well at Levin and at Feildirig, and gave indications of ability to stay, as he was goine right away from his-fields at the finish of his races. A horse, that will only have to register a really good gallop just before the meeting in order to make himself the favourites is Battlement.. His chief claim to consideration-is the good race he ran over a mile and three-quarters m Australia. Town Bank has not done anything for some time to bring him into favour, and he will be at a long price. So will Lord Star, and the outsider- in the field will be Kamekameba. The chances of Nippy, Piuthair, and Clarinda have not been discussed, and perhaps it will be proved that the best stayer of the trio is Piuthair, who won the C.J.C. Metropolitan under 7.8 and is in the Auckland Cup with 7.1 Clarinda. too, stays nicely; and Nippy, under so light a weight and with W. H. tones in the saddle, is a possibility. . ' It will be recognised that the race bears a particularly open appearance, but, to sum it up, Rapine ancTTe Kara might be the pick of the top-weights; and /Piuthair is the best of those lower down.

GENEmNEWS. It is understood that if E. Ludlow ean reduce bia weight sufficiently he will ride Town Bank in the Auckland Cup. After riding Lady Cavendish, Footfall, and the elect of Mr Greenwood’s pair, Agrion and Eulalie, in the Great Northern Foal Stokes, J. Barry will he at Awapuni the second day to pilot Reretnoana in the Palmerston North Stakes. There are 105 horses in work at Hawera, this figure including several trotters.

Good program is being made with the erection of the new totalisator house at the Hawera racecourse, and it will be finished in plenty of time for the Egmont Club’s Cup meeting early in February.. The new structure is of brick! and is almost a replica of the totalisator at Awapuni. All tickets are sold from the front of- the -machine, and this leaves plenty of room at the back for paying out. where previously there was very cramped space. The machine is not of the electric variety, although it could readily he converted if required; The decision to take Margaret Birney to tho southern meetings has not

been altered, and she will accompany Ho rati us to the West Coast.. Rich Prize, by Sanquhar or Antagonist, from Soldier’s Pride, who figures on the top of the list in three ovcnts to bo decided at the Hurunui Turf Club’s meeting on Monday next, was bred by Sir G. Clifford.. His only success on the turf was at_ the'- C.J .C. autumn meeting in 1925,’ when he carried tho Choke boro colours to victory in the Autumn Plate Handicap. Hawke’s Bay has always been one of the strongholds of the turf in New Zealand, and in the past many of the good races have been won by horses nailing from that district. This year Hawke’s Bay has sent to EUerslie a strong team, comprising Rapine, Star Stranger, Mimetic, Decoy Bird, Expense, Shirley, Rascal, Commendation, Cimooue, Cosmetic. Laity, High Pitch, The Hawk, Maunga, ' Oreum, Magna Charta, Auratum, Gascony, and Doree. Ashley Reed is riding in great form. He won the Ballarat Cup recently on Spearer, and added a double to his tally at Mocmee Valley" Adjohg _ and Brabbler (remarks a Melbourne writer). Another cup victory was credited to the Carbine line in Australia this month, when Spearer galloped home 111 front for tho Ballarat Cup. Spearer is a descendant of SpeaiheasL, a son

of Spearmint, and grandson of Carbine; It is no new role tor Spearer as' a cttp winner, for he had previously.;stored victories in the Adelaide Cup .. ,and Albury Cup. wanganuTtrack work After heavy showers during the night, the Wanganui tracks were a bit dead for training operations on ,Tuesday morning, and times were not. fast. ' ■ , Royal Elm (J. McDonald) was too good for Musket Vein (W. Mitchell) at the end of six furlongs, rim in 1.20 4-5, the first four occupying 52 8-5.' Star Area (D. C. Watts) was sent a mile by himself, running the -first quar-,-ter in 26 2-5, the four furlongs in 52 3-5, six’ furlongs in 1.19 4-5, and completing the journey in 1.46. 4-5. . • Bent (J. Head) and Limosa (B, Q. Watts) were jumped qff from the six furlongs, the latter having a couple of lengths the worst of the dispatch. They left "the first two furlongs behind in 25 2-5, and the half-mile in 51 1-5, Bent going on to complete the six furlongs alone in 1.20, 3-5. Civility (J. Head) did an easy .six furlongs, and could have improved a , whole lot on the 1.20 recorded- The first half-mile took 52 4-5. GALLOPS BEFORE DUNEDIN At Wingatui on Tuesday all fast work was done on the plough._’ - Battle Colours and 4>ucy_ Lockett galloped six furlongs in Imin 22 3-5 sec. Pink Terrace drew out a little. from Royal Kilt at the end of seven furlongs, in lmin 33 4-ssec,_ and came over the la&t half in 51 «J--ssec. Terraco galloped better than what might have been expected after her recent displays- at Timaru. Monoxide and Lady Dilatory hhd the assistance'of another in reeling off six furlongs in lmin 19 2-osec. Monoxide appears to be coming back to her best form. Reqipt got through fairly strong work. - 4 . • . \., - Pink Note and Eaton Bells dm a strqng working gallop over seven furlongs in lmin 3V 4-ssec, ‘ Comic Song cantered a couple or circuits and" then, in company - with Corn Money, cast four furlongs behind in lmin 4sec. Corn Money finished on better than bis.-companion, Who, however, is not' so forward as She Paper Money gelding. . . ' Overhaul and Bob galloped six furlongs on the course in lmin 22sec. _ t . Arpent worked at, a good hair ?*Diimantle ana Lady Tractor worked over ten furlongs and travelled over Hie final seven furlongs in lmin 39 Hurdv Gurdy beat Whitiranga over 'six furlongs on the plough m lmin -20 2-6 sec. They were accompanied part of the way by-the chestnut gelding in J. Rutledge'S stable. - Olympia worked bn the course with lout being fully extended. ; .' , i# Vajvaxd and King Sol covered seven -furlongs of a mile omfhe. Course in iJ^Cossiguard^ndlKapuna gave,a good &s2ay 'Uvei- fbur 'flights of hurdles,; fjid latter shaped much better than when schooled last week. Martis -finished better than Credit the end • of six furlongs on the plough in lmm Adjutor, Jolly Glad, Heal Glad, Sweet Melody, Tembroney, ItoUn Archer, and a few others were W S six furlongs of the morhing at Wingatui yesterday and was sold in the afternoon withengagements for 200 guineas. STORMYSBREEDING Mr H. W. Burch has given the “New Zealand Herald' I 'the^ollowmgpartmuTars of Stormy’s breeding:— Stormy is bv Quin Abbey-Gipsy by -Martian—Paroro, fry- Gipsy Grand Tempest, by New Holland— Torando, by Gang Forward—Typhoon, by Wild Dayrell—Midia, by Sqrutari. Gipsy Martian is a bay mare \ bredfry Mr P. O’Malley in 1909. I purchased Gipsy Martian from the late Mr C. D> c kmsou bf Worrinsville. for the sum of lOOgns on December 30tb, 1921. Gipsy Martian, at the time Ipurchased bcr, had a bay colt foal at foot b?' Q.™ 1 and was also stinted to Swift Fbgbt. Gipsy Martian’s 1921 hay colt foa|b> q.un Abilov, WbicK Was, at foot when I purchased her, is Stormy. Gipsy Martian duly foaled a bay filly .in 1922 to Swift Flight, and that'filly is registered as Breezy, and is mow being trained at New Plymouth by* Mr Ei George on my behalf. J purposely allowed Gipsy Martian to miss a year and then sent her to Nassau. Slie Suly foaled a .bay filly to Nassau in 1924, and her 1924 bay filly b/ Nassau is registered as B«caimed. I then allowed Gipsy Martian to rest another yearand_l to Wanganui on a visit to Chioi K’ ,ler > and on October 3rd 1926 Gipsy Martian produced a chestnut foal to Chief Ruler. Gipsy Martian,, with her colt foal by Chief Ruler, together with her other progeny, Stormy, Breezy, and Beclamed, are my property. THE BIG~POUBLE AUCKLAND CUP AND RAILWAY

An Auckland enthusiast has made out the following .tfsE-of- performances of horses engaged in the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap :

AUCKLAND CDF. Two miles.. RAPINE, '7yrs, by Martian—Pmeta (9.9). —At 3yrs‘: Won Wellington Cup, 11 miles, 7,12, , time 2min 31 4-ssec; won Great Northern St. Leger, 1} miles, .time 3min 6 3-ssec.\At 4yrs: Won Australian Jockey Club s' Autumn Stakes, 1 j miles, 8,11, time 2min 334 sec; won Cumberland Stakes, 14 miles, 8.11, time 3min 2isec; won A.J.C Plate, 2i miles 8.11, time amin 55isec. At 6yrs: Won Metropolitan. Handicap, 14 miles, 9.7, time 2min 31 2-ssec; Won Auckland Cup, 2 miles! 9.8, time 3niih 26 l-ssee. At 7yrs: Won Canterbury Cup, 24 miles, 9.6, time 3min 54seo-, -won ■ G. G. Stead Gold Cup, 14 miles, 9.3, time 2min 9sec. ■ STAR STRANGER, 4yrs, by Martian — Star Lady (9.2),—At 3yrs: Won Great Northern Derby, 14 miles, 8.10, time 3min 36 l-ssec. At 4yrs: Won Metropolitan Stakes, 1 mile 5 fur., 8.9, time 2min Msec. COUNT CAVOUR, syrs, by Solferino —Bon Bord (9,5). —At Byrs: Won N.Z. Derby, 14’miles, 8.10, time 2' min 35sec; won Great Northern Derby, 14 miles, 8.10, time 2min 36 2-ssec; won Great Northern ,Bt. Loger, lit miles, 8.10, time 3min 2 l-ssec. At 4yrs: Second Auckland ’Cup, 8.13; won Clifford Plate, 14 miles, 9, time 2min 39sec; won Dunedin Cup, TV miles, 9.8, time Smin, 34 4-,ssc.q, At Ncja

Zealand Clip, 2,.miles, 8.13, time -8 inin 26 1-SS&. TE MONANUI, syrs, by Potoa—Unity (9.1). —At 4yrs: Won Mitchelson Cup, 14 miles, 7.13, time 2min 38 2-ssec; won A.R.C. Handicap, 14 "miles, 8.11, time 2min 36sec. At syrs: Won Plumpton Handicap, 14 miles, 9.5, time 2min'7sec. IE KARA, aged, by General Latour— March (9.0). —At syrs: Dead-heat in Auckland Cup, 2 miles, 7.6 with Muraahi, 7.4, time 3min 39sec. At 6yrs: "Won Auckland Cup, 2 miles, 8.4, time 2min 36sec; won City Tattersall’s Clip, 1 mile 3 fur., 9.0, time 2min; 22isec; won Brisbane Cup, 2 miles, 9.10, time Smin 264 sec. At 7yrs: Won Champion Plate, 14 miles, 2min 174 sec; second in New Zealand Clip, 2 miles, 9.2, won by The Banker, 8.1. At Byrs: Second in Te Awamutu Cup, 14 miles, 9.12, won by Phaola, 7.2. MASK, 4yrs, by. Limond—Cowl (8.0). — At 3yrs‘ Won Great Northern St. Leger, 1J miles, 8.10, time 3min 5 seo. At ,4yrs King Edward Memorial Handicap, 14 miles, 8.4, time 2min 20seo. STAR RANGER, aged, by Martian— Gipsy Bell (7.7). —At 6yrs: Won Avondale Cup 14 miles, ,7.0,- time 2 min 47sec. At 7yrs: Won Mitchelson Cup, 14 miles, - 7.5, -time 2min 44 sec. 3iA(NDANE, 4yrs, by Panmure—Cherry Mart. (7.8). —At 3yrs: Won New Zealand Oaks, 14 miles, 8.10, time 2min 34 3-ssec; won Fendalton Handicap, 14 miles, 7.13, time 2min 5 1-5 see; second in Great, Northern Derby, 14 miles, 8.7; • DESERT GLOW, 6yrs, bv Day Comet —Lady Winsome (7.3). —At syrs: Won Takapuna Cup, 14 miles. 7.0, time 2min 37seo. At 6yrs: Second in N.Z Cup, 2 miles, 7.0. FOOTFALL, syrs, by Autumnus—War step (7.7). —At 4yrs: Won Courtenay Welter Handicap, T mile, 9.5, time lmin 39 1-ssec. At syrs: Won Otaio Plate, 14 miles, 9.13, time 2min 8 NIiPPY, 4yrs, by Bardolpli—Carmetta (7).—At 3yrs: Won Connolly Handicap, 14 miles, 7.8, time 2min 12 2-ssee. At 4yrs : Second in Wellington Handicap, 1 mile 3 furlongs, 7.13. PIUTHAIR, 4yrs, by Kifbroney— Black-Ada (7.l).—At Syrs: Won Silverstream Handicap, 1 ini 10, 8.8, time lmin At 4jirs: Won C.J.C, Metropolitan Handicap, 14 miles, 7.8,time Sriiin. 33 l-sse«. •CIMRJNuA, Syrs, by Kilbronoy— Black Ada (7).—At 4yrs: Won Mana'watu Cup, . 14 milas, 7.12, time 2m(n 35 l-stec. At syfs: Won Fondaltop Handicap, 14 miles, 8.6, time 2mm 7 2-ssee. ■ > 1

DIOGENES, 4yrs. by. Cynic—Mimor.v (7.3). —At Syrs: Won .Nolan Cup, 3J furlongs,' 8.10/ time lmin 511 sec. At 4yrs: Won Feilding Cup,. 14 miles, 8.8, time 2miri l4see. ’ BATTLEMENT, 3yrs, by Martian— Polymnia (7.2). —At 3yrs: Won A.J.C. Waverley Handicap, lj miles, 6.11, time 2tnin 59see. ■ . . TOWN BANK, Syrs, by .Archiestown —Lilybank (7.1). —At 3yrs: Won Great Northern Guineas, 1 mile, 8.10, time lmin 42sec ; won Paul Memorial Handicap, 14 miles, 7, time 2mjn -7 2-sseq. At 4yrs: Won Egmont Cup, J 4 miles, 7.10, time 2min Msec. - ’ :r KAMEHAMEHA, 6yrs, by Demosthenes —Rangiao (7).—At Syrs: Second in Arondale Maiden Plate, 8, 9 furlongs, won by Star Stranger, 8. LORD STAR, aged, by Lord Multifid, ■—Uranium (7).—At 4yrs: 'Won A.R.C. Autumn Handicap, 6.13, time 2min 40sec. ’

RAILWAY HANDICAP; six furlongs. , GRAND KNIGHT, 6yrs,\by Grand Parade—Jennesse ' (9.13). At syrs: Won Great Easter ~. Handicap, 7 furlongs, 9.3, lmin 2olsec; _ won Great Autumn Handicap, 14 miles, 9.4, timo 2min 31Jsec. .At 6yru: Won Criterion Handicap, 7 furlongs, 9:11, time lmin 25 4-5560; won Feilding Stakes, five furlongs, 9.6, time lmin A;4-sseo. THE HAWK, aged, by-Martian— SpaTrowhawk, (9.5)i —At 2yrs; /Won Pacific Handicap, six furlongs, BA 2 > time lmin 10 l-ssec. At 3yrs : Won Telegraph Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.13, time lmin 11 l-ssec. At 4yrs: Won Uawera Stakes, 1 mile, 9.5, time lmin 45 4-ssec. At syrs: Won Caulfield Futurity Stakes, 7 furlongs, 9.8; time lmin 27isec. At 6yrs: won A.J.C. Challenge Stakes, 6 furlongs, 10.3, time Imia ll|see;' won A.J.C. All-Aged Stakes, 1 mile, 8!l2, time lmin 374sep. LADY CAVENDISH, 4yrs by Absurd—Bonnie Portland (8.9). At 2yrs: Won great Northern Champagne Stakes, 6 furlongs, 8.5, time lmin 13 3-ssec. At 3yrs: Won second division A.R.C. Railway Handicap, 6 .furlongs, .7.10, time lmin Msec; won Metropolitan Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.6, time lmin lOJsec. , , MIMETIC, 4yrs, by Comedy King— Joyeuso (B.3).—At 2yrs: Won Great Northern Foal Stokes, 6 furlongs, 3.10, time lmin 13 2-osec. At 3yrs: Won Members’ Handicap, 7 furlongs, 8.1, timo lmin 25 4-ssec. O AWN PORE, oyrs, by Lucknow— Katherine Dock (8). —At 3yrs: Avon Chevalier Welter Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.13, time lmin 14? l-ssec. At 4yrs: Won Telegiaph Handicap, 7.12, time lmin llisec; won Stewards’ Handicap (Takapuna), about six furlongs, 8.5, time lmin llsec. ... SHIRLEY, 4yrs, by Absurd—Hoy (8.0). —At 3yrs: Won Okawa Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.13.' time lmin 12 4-ssec. At 4yrs: Won Nairaai Handicap, 6 furlongs, B.lo* time

lmin 124 sec. . ... KING MERY, 6yrs, by Quin Abbey— The Rand mare (8.0).— At syrs. Won Shorts Handicap, 6 furlongs. 8.11, time lmin 14 3-ssec; won Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.11, time lmin 17 l-ssec. At 6yrs: Second Cautley Handicap, 6 furlongs,

won by Ruffles, 7.0. . YORK ABBEY, 6yrs, by Qum Abbey—, Curearua (B.o).—At 4yrs: Won Members’ Handicap, 6 furlongs, time lmin 18sec. At syrs: Won Avondale Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.5, time lmin 19sec; won President’s Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.2, time lmin 16sec. , DELUGE, 6yrs: by Absurd—Liquify 17.12).—At 4yrs: Won Wellington Railway Handicap, t> rurlongs, 7.12, time lmin llisec; won Palmerston North Stakes, 6 furlongs, 9.7, time lmin Msec. , ' MASTER DOON, syrs, by Lucullus—v Lassie Doon (7.l2)^— At 3yrs: Won A.R.C. Railway Handicap, 6 furlongs, 6.9, time lmm 15 2-5; sec. At . 4yrs: Second Members’ Handicap, 6 furiongs, 9:0, won by King Lu, 9.0. At 6yrs: Won Epsom Handicap, 6 furlongs; 7 5, time lmin 10 3-sseo; won Liverpool Handicap, 1 mile, 8.8, time lmin 49seo; won Waikato Cup, 7.10, time 2min M 3-ssec. . , LIMITED, 3yrs, by Absurd—Holyrood (7 11). —At 2yrs: Won Welhngton Stakes, 5 furlongs, 7.5, time 594 sec. At Syrs: Second in Feilding Stakes, 5 furlongs,- 8.2, won by. Grand Kniaht "9,6, _

LieiNIUS, 4yrs,- by Lucullus —Hellanois (7.10).—At 2yru:Woh Juvenile Handicap, 5 furlongs, '9.5, time lmin 6sec. At 3yrs: Second in Farewell; Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.2, won by v Civility, 8:4. At 4yrs: Second in'C.J.C. Stewards’ Handicap, 6 furlongs, .7..14,- won by Comic Song, 7.9; second in Criterion Handicap, .7. iurlongs, 7.10, won by Grand Knight, 9.11. ■ THE THORN, 4yrs, by Absurd —Rose Queen (7.8). —At 3yrs: Won A.R.C. Summer Cup, 11 miles, 7.0, time 2min 6 4-ssec. RUFFLES, 4yrs, by Quin Abbey— Necktie (7.B).—At 4yrs: Won Takapuna Plate, 7 fur Tongs, 8.9, time lmin 36sec; won Gautley Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7.0, time lmin 20 3-5 sec. DAVE, syrs, by Lucullus: —Congress (7.B).—At syrs: Won Kirikiriroa Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.0, time lmin 18sec. CHAIRMAN, syrs, by Nassau—Cub- (' ross (7.7). —At syr ,: Won Cambridge Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7.9, ■ time lmin 19sec. NADARINO, 4yrs, by Solferino—Nada (7.7).—At 3yrs: Won A.R.C. Members’ Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.9, time lmin 20sec. At 4yrs: Seoond in C.J.C. Members’ Handicap, 7 furlongs, 7.5, won by Centrepiece, 8.4. ARCHEEN, 6yrs:. by Marble Arch— Kaween (7.7).—At syrs: Won Ons- , low Handicap, 6 furlongs, 9.4, time lmin 20Jsec. At 6yrs: Won Stanley Handicap, 7 furlongs, 8.8, time lmin 36sec. ■ KINOFIELD, 4yrs, by King Lupin— Field Battery mare (7.2).—At' 4yrs: Won Shorts Handicap,’ 6 furlongs, 7.0, time lmin 17sec. .•< ■ MERRY DAMON, 4yrs, by Polydamon—Merry Roe- (7.2).—iAf 2yrs: Won Midsummer Handicap, 5- furlongs, 8.11, time lmin -see. ; At 3yfs: W|4n, Takapuna Suburban Handicap, about 6 furlongs, 7.2, time lmin 12sec; won King George Handicap, 7 furlongs, 8.12, time lmin .35 3-ssec. MSiRRt JEST, 4yrs, by Absurd—Yes 77.1).—W0n Borough Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7.13, time lmin 13 2-ssec. TEA BELL, 3yrs, by Tea Tray—HulaGirl (7.l).—At 2yrs: Won Hobson Handicap, ataout 6 furlongs, 9.6, time -lmin 13 3-ssec. At 3yrs: Second in Flyirtg Handicap, 6 furlongs, ’ 7.11, won by Le Cboucas, 8.3. AUSSIE, 3yrs, by Fortafix—Fortune Beauty (7.0). —At 2yrs: Won Electric 1 Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7.12, time lmin 16sec. At 3yrs: Second in Instow Handicap, 64 furlongs, 7:2, won by Arch Opal, 7.0. BALLYMOY 11., syrg, by Sonning —Baljykill (7.o).—At, 4yrs: Won Purpa Hack Handicap, -6 furlongs, 9.6, time lmin 16 3-ssec. At syvs: ' Won October Handicap, 6 furlongs, 9.8, time lmin 14Jsec. HIGH PITCH, 3yrs, by Archedon— Shrill (7.o).—At 3yrs: Won Henderson Handicap, 7 furlongs, 7.14, time lmin 27 2-ssec. MOSAIC, 4yrs, by Some Boy II Marble Star (7.o).—At 4yrs: Won Thames Goldfields Cup, 1_ nnlo 2 ' furlongs 56yds, 7.3; second in A.R.C. Flying Handicap. 7 furlongs, 7.10, won by Archibald, 7.24. < • • NANCY liESE, syrs, by Lucullus— Flagship (7.o).—At 4yrs: Won Mairoa Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.9, time lmin 15 2-ssec. At syrs: Won President’s Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8.-1, time lmin 17 2-ssec. PAVO, aged, by The Welkin —Land Rose (7.o).—At lOyrs: Won President’s Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7.6, time lmin 13 2-ssdc. MAGNA CHARTA, 3yrs, by King John—Labdrail (7.o),—At ..Syrss, Plunkct .Nursery Handicap, q furlongs, 7.5, time Imm Ojsec. : atel&ie gallops in the rain EARLY MORNING FAST WORK.

Per Pres? Association. ' AUCKLAND, December 24, . The weather was fine before breakfast for the training at Kljerslie this morning, but rain set in after the interval and qoutinued until the ojfera- . tions' ceased. The outside of the j course proper (outside three trestles), j was available for fast work. - Commendation was picked up by | ManV Colours about the five-furlong postj and ran six furlongs in lmin g-ssec Segment and Luxurious fan home 1 from tho nhw. five-furlong post m | lmin 6 l-ssec; Laity and Cosmetic went four furlongs in Slsec. , . / , Gascony took a similar tim© for tno distance. . , , , Star Ranger ran the last seven fmlongs of a round in lmin 51 Hapine r,an a mile and a halt, doing the last round in 2min 1 2-ssec. j&ulalie and Agrion ran half a mile in 52 l-ssee. • . * © _. _.c Princess Ronnie was front ot Charlady at the end, of six furlongs in lmm 18sec. . £ Paperchase. did the last four fur* longs of her work in 53 2-ssec. Grand Knight and Nadarmo got to the end of six furlongs in lmm 1/ 3-sbgc, the former pleasing the most. Tanadees, Town Bank,, and Te Kara finished about on-terms, jugt in front ; of Battlement over a mile and a quar- . ter. The last round took 2mm 3 J.-0 Oreum went a rounß In 2min 6 1-5 Se mask, Te Monanui, and Clarinda i were in that, order ot the end of six , furlongs in lmin 20 2-ssec; . Stormy galloped five furlongs m l s min 8 2-sscc. i , Star Stranger, whev was tucked up , by Mimetio at the a*x furlong posEwent a round in 2mm 3 2-6 sec, and finished the task well. " ,■ - Rahepoto, Passionate, ,and Muscari got to the end of six furlongs-m lmm Gold Fern ran six furIgtiss in lmin 22 3-SSOC. , Gauntlet, Fair Abbey, and o?ra•wock did a mile in lmm 49sec. . Ruffles covered four furlongs in 63 Se ßoyal Picture and went seven furlongs in ,Imm 35 .3-6 see. . Hieh Pitch and Cima'bue did five

furlongs from the new post m lmin 4 Count Cavour and Footfall went a round in 2min 5 2-ssec. Magna Charta left seven furlongs behind in lmin 34 8-6 sec. - . Clnrus covered six furlongs in lmm Aussie was well in front of King Merv, Merry Damon, and Chairman over five furlongs in lmin 4 4-sseo. TaUsker, LaMghang Prince ana Autumn Lad ran a Bimilar Jistanoe, finishing in that order, m lmm 6

Day heat Cawnpore over six furlongs in lmin 19 2-ssec. Royal Form galloped seven furlongs in lmin 35sec. _ . Doree, Panther, and Damans ran five furlongs from the new post in ll White ß ßird and The Hawk covered «... furlongs in lmin 37sec. ... j Tali'Timber and Shirley, with the latter a little in front, galloped six .furlongs in lmin 20 3-ssec. Alloway and Raukura covered seven furlongs in lmin 35sec. , The* Thorn and Lysauder, together, .went fivo farloflgs in lndn sseo«

Maunga did seven furlongs in lmin 42sec: Sea Comet ran six furlongs in lmin SOsec. Licinius and Automne went over six furlongs; in lmin 20sec. Limited was going nice a the end of four furlongs in 51 2-osec. Mandane galloped seven furlongs in lmin 34 l-ssec. After breakfast, Chamour _ covered seven furlongs in lmin 32 4-osec. Karamu went a round in 2min 11 3-osec. Auriculus, Zane Grey, and Golden Wedding were practically in terms over half a mile in 51 2-osec. Mia Bella did seven furlongs in 1 min 36 l-ssec. Phaola was in front of Desert Glow over a mile in lmin 46 3-ssec. Day Bell and Star Comet went over four hurdles and finished as named. Highway, Zanna, and Kendal finished in that osi«s over four hurdles. Highway continued on alone over another round, making eight hurdles in all, and giving a good display of jumping. awapunTtrack work PREPARING FOR MEETING WEATHER DULL AND COLD. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., December 23. Dull weather, with a cold easterly wind, prevailed for tjie early work at Awapuni this morni*g. The outside of the track proper was open, but the majority worked on the plough, which was in splendid order. Orchid sprinted four furlongs in 50 see. Catcall (Mackie) and Inoe (S. Wilson) were Kent over seven furlongs, following an indifferent start. They ran the last six in lmin 21sec, Catcall holding the advantage. Pantler and Benmure were companions over a round and a half on the plough, the last six furlongs taking lmin 22sec. ' Pantler had a slight advantage over the Cup candidate. Hymestrason (Green) and Some Lad (Mackie) left five furlongs behind m lmin 6isec. Hymeetrasan led throughout- .'v Comody Prince (Jenkins) and Little River (A. McDonald) 1 went a round over the hurdles in a .good display, but Comedy Prince had the measure .of his opponent. Polar (Mackie) and Santonio (G. Browhe) were Bent over a mile on the grass in lmin 52sec. Polar appeared to hold his companion. PoTaki (Wilson), Conviction (Green), and March. On (Jenkins) finished in that order at the end of six furlongi in lmin 2Cteee. Powhiro (A. McDonald) went alone over five flights, giving a finished display of jumping for a maiden. He appears' to be tender in front. Novar (Browne) and Kilmiss (Green) were practically together all the wav over a mile on the plough, the latter having a full length advantage at the post. , „ „ Crown Area, Cavity, and Sugar Bag were associated over naif a mile m 54 sec. Crown Area had a neck adl antage over Cavity. Sugar Bag was well back. Sottaria was sept a mile and a quarter on the grass, being assisted by Shining Star over the first portion and Royal Land over the second. Sottana put up a fair performance, and will start in the Cup in preference to the hurdles. He is to be ridden by t. Dunn. Buoyant, looking very well, did a round on the plough under a hard After breakfast Royal' '-Damon and’ Royal Time worked separately on the Merry Day was picked up by Epistle on the second round' on the plough. The Cup horse wept unkindly m the first round, but galloped well alongside, her stable companion. , STRATFORDMEETINC THE ACCEPTANCES The following acceptances have been received for the first day of the Strat- ' ford meeting:— „ „ i TRIAL STAKES.—The Swell, Taikawhana, Craigui, Barryanda, • Midnight Camp, Lady Acre, Kyngzone, Tangerim Advance Camp, Manly, Dainty | Pearl, Coma, Glencoe, Royal Acre, Tukaha, Modest Boy, Te Kawana, 1 Yaqui. Always, Romantic, Whisosne, i Erin-go-hragh. ■ . I TARIKI HIGH-WEIGHT HACK HANDICAP, of 170 sovs; seven furlongs and a half. —Branson 9.9. Schorr 9.6, Maveelish 9.5, Quinsilia 8.3, San Fera 9.2, .Partaga 9.2, Glemdle 9.2, Winsome Boy 9.1. Lightwood / 8.12, Anolo 8.10, Fair Abbey 8.9, Gold Collector 8.9, Take Take 8.9, GoliL Rang! 8.7, Pnawhato 8.7, Lu<»rnal 8.7, Kiwini 8.7, Calm Eve 8.7. Niblick 8.7, Whetuhine 8.7, Blend <5.7. STRATFORD CUP, of 750 sovs: ono mile and a quarter.—Reremoana 9 13, Income 9.6, Euphonium 8.2, Hipo 8.2, Bright Day 7.13, Monaghan 7.9, Tho Lamb 7.7, Novar 7.6 Glenganff 7.5, Killooh 7.1, Crossfire 7, Uralla 7. Potoanui 7, Lady Anstruther i, Royal Mint 7, Sovena 7, Pop Off 7. OHukA HURDLES, of 200 sovs; one mile and a half,—Euchre 10.7, Glenidle 10.6, Kareao -iJ.6, Uralla 9.11, Ratapiko 9.11, Tamakana 9-5, Subjection 9.4,. Rehutai 9.3, Highflown 9.3, Gloncaim 9.2, Uncle Dave 9.2, Just John 9, Sea View 9, Festive 9, Lord Bruce 9. „ m : JUVENILE HANDICAP, of 200 sovs; five furlongs.-—Lady Desmond 9.9, Helen 8.12, Jazz Baby 8.10, Chips 8.6, Silver Mine 8.3, Eka 8.2, Atapai 8.1, Macroom 7.11, Sky point 7; 11, Baby Bun 7.10, Alan Brae-7.5, Misbar- • do 7.5, Cynelli 7.5, Silent 7.5, Atone j 7.3, Warflame 7.2, Acushla 7, Fortalice |7* '■ K'K ' -r TT , VTITO 4T>

MIDHURS L HACK, namnyaf ; 200 ,sbvs; eight furlongs Lady Anstruther 9, RoyaL Sovena 8.2, Winsome Boy 7.7, Te KaI’ere 7.6, Lightwood 7.6, Qosefire 7.4, Vivo 7.4, Royal Pioture 7,3, Bent. 7.2, Always 7.1, Airtight 7, Ratapiko 7, Barryander 7, Niblick 7. ••• . -DOUGLAS HANDICAP, of 300 sovs; six furlongs.—Pelham 9, Pouma 8.6, Gaillard 875, Papaponga 8.4, Oration 84, Benzora 8.3, Glengafiff 8.2, Lady Bentinck 8.2, Bonogne 8.2, Arch Amie 7.13, Bright Knight 7,9, White Bird 7.3, Troilus 7. _ , „„ RAILWAY HANDICAP, of 180 sovs; six furlongs.—Dobbin 9, Quillfire 8-8, Helen 8.5, Branson 8.5, Argue 8.3, Schorr 8.2, Partaga 7.12, Billikins 7.12, Quinsilia 7.11, Troilns 7.11, _ Seastar 7.11, Winsome Boy 7.10, Flying Shot 7.9, Tip Tree 7.9, Whenuanui 7.8. Paitonu 7.7, Arch Arrow 7.6, Acred 7.4, Macroom .7.3, Oreades 7.8, Yaqui 7.3, Skypoint 7.3. Onward 7.2, Grand Lupin 7.2, Te Kawana 7, Turkish Fire 7, Modest Boy 7, The Swell 7, Bloey 7, Lethal 7.